TyWebb

I have accepted two CJO's and wondering which one I should take. I live in a small-ish metro area that has about 8 flights a day into SEA (1.3 hr flight) and 6 to PDX (1.0 hr flight). It also has 2 flights a day (increased to 3 in summer months)to/from DEN (2.4 hr flight)


Regional #1:
Good company but I have been placed into a pool with awaiting training date. HR speculated end of March but the latest email stated end of May. They have yet to release the 2019 training dates (at least to me). Pathways program to Legacy but TBD how that actually works and probably is more of a recruiting tool for the reigional.
Not sure on reserve and upgrade but from what I hear and read it is close to 3-6 month reserve and upgrade could be slow due to over hiring.
Seems to be a good amount of same company pilots that live in my area and already do the commute to PDX/SEA.. so could be competing for space/jumpseat. The drive to PDX is 3 hours, SEA is 5, and Medford is another 3.
Need to read and educate myself on the commuter policy
This is my preferred choice if all were equal as it keeps me in the PNW during training and work.


Regional #2:
Building up DEN with increased United flying and that is their junior base currently. Can pick my training date (2x a month and they are pushing to fill them - right now projected 2nd class in March).
The commute, as mentioned, is questionable... 3x daily flights but could drive the 3 hrs to Portland to open up more options to get to/from home. So possible 1 leg commute, maybe 2 leg commute, or 1 leg with a drive on the back end (would suck in the winter due to having to cross mtn pass).
Speculating that competing for space/jumpseat would be less than the above option. However, the aircraft that serve this route are a CRJ 200, CRJ 700, and A319 (seasonal - summer months).
Little to no reserve and upgrade is being advertised as guaranteed as soon as 1k 121 time is obtained.
4 hotels per month for commuters, 2 confirmed flights for protection if you miss work due to commuting.
Possible junior manning like the company experienced last summer.

I'm sure it won't be hard to guess which two I am talking about but I feel sleazy placing the company names in this discussion post.

Considerations: No kids, fiancee, 36 years old, goal is the majors. Moving to domicile is not an option at this time, nor will be in the foreseeable future.

rickair7777

PNW is tough all around for commuters. If you can't move to chase fast career progression, having the option to drive to work would be ideal.

If the drive to PDX is highway, that's not too bad at all by commuter standards. I'd do that before commuting by air. I am personally tolerant of getting up very early for am shows, and also getting home in wee hours after a late pm finish. You could do a hotel/crashpad as needed if you don't like driving early or late.

IMO, five hours is too much of a drive (tried it once briefly).

TyWebb

Thanks Rick,

The drive is highway but mostly 2 lane. Like you, I am tolerant of early shows and would rather drive up early than stay in a hotel/crash pad the day prior. Would you give the short flights a chance and see what success you have or just drive so you can guarantee your off-time schedule?

Also, any consideration to regional #2 and the limited flights to DEN? The appeal is obviously less reserve, quicker upgrade, quicker time to a major (speculation of course). Downsides, possible junior manning, less at home time, and the obv commute.

Phoenix21

You said commute is questionable... that is a non starter right there.

Quicker time to a major? No way to tell. Regionals and regional pilots are a dime a dozen, so your time to a major will be more greatly affected by you and what you’ve done to break yourself out from the crowd than the name of the farm team you’re flying for.

For regional #1 I’d commute via flight and keep an airport car in base or drive or a mix of the two (This is what I currently do... if I miss the last flight home I’m never trapped and stuck paying for hotels out of pocket). Driving to and from work is so much less stressful.

rickair7777

After trying a variety of commutes, I settled on driving to work and made some career concessions to do that. But I didn't need quite as much money quite as soon as other folks might (outside income, mil retirement, wife's job).

But I can't really address your situation without being in your shoes. A tight commute could be miserable if you get in trouble for missing too many shows, or have to do two-leg commutes. Bear in mind that any airline will expect you to have tried least two good commute flights... with three flights/day you might end up taking the 1100 flight (with the 1900 flight as your backup) for a 2100 show.

My personal threshold for a tolerable commute (if I couldn't drive) would be four hours max, one leg, with multiple daily flights on multiple airlines (one of them my own).

TyWebb

Quicker time to a major just speculation based on little to no reserve, no wait for training = more flight time = quicker to CA = quicker 121 CA time that helps resume to a major.

However, I do value what you and Rick have said and overall the QOL and easier commute is worth more than 'potentially' making it to a major a little faster. I was not implying that the company I work for would matter when the time comes. Although, I do believe a lot of current and future regional pilots do think that way. Recruiting for certain companies seem to be pushing that message... but I didn't apply at that company.

Phoenix21

All of that sounds wonderful until you slip on some ice during an aircraft walk around and get laid up with a broken bone, or the economy tanks and flying is cut back or a bunch of other things. Or you lament commuting so much you leave to go to the #1 place or delay upgrade bedause that makes your commute even longer and more miserable.

All of my buddies who left my first airline did so because they had long commutes and rather start over as an FO someplace closer to where they lived than stay to upgrade and continue to have a difficult commute to the junior base.

Tippy

All of the above is dead on. Lots to consider when picking a place to start (or possibly be stuck at) Im assuming you're in the Bend/Redmond area, given what I know now from having gone through similar situations as others have described I would wait it for a class with QX. Ive done the long commute,the easy one leg, and now drive. I can honestly say that I will make career concessions to avoid commuting again, even the easy commute. Some can do the career long 2 leg commute and be totally content with it. I personally cannot. Ive got lots of friends at QX in PDX and they are happy driving to work staying in the PNW.

Only you can make the call, and there are lots of things you cant know if you are okay with them or not until you go through them yourself, But the overwhelming consensus in the pilot community is drive to work if you can. RDM to PDX is totally doable, i know several that do it. 3 hrs would be my threshold but have flown with ppl who drive 4 hrs to avoid a commute by air. And yes there are a lot of commuters of RDM of all airlines making the commute even harder like you mentioned in your original post. This is just my experience only, but if i were thrown literally into your shoes I would wait for QX find a good podcast you like and drive to work weekly.

TyWebb

Thanks for the input. I believe you all talked off the ledge and I’ll stay patient.